Prerequisites - Indicator??

[Screamnoises]

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.Is how you tolerate/enjoy the pre-requisites an indicator of how you will enjoy optometry school? Surely you should enjoy the education that is for the profession that you chose, assuming you chose the right profession, right? I know those classes are the preqs for a reason – they want to know you can handle the workload. However, I ask because I am really not that crazy about any of the prereq classes (for example, I absolutely hated ochem, but then again, I think there were few that didn’t). I guess the answers to my question might be, “it depends on the class.” I am just feeling very burnt out right now (I’m currently a 3rd year undergrad), and I am beginning to chicken out. I’ve heard horror stories about how miserable med school can be. Yes, I do know optometry school is not med school but I also know that optometry school is also very difficult and those stories terrify me. If I am feeling this way now, I can only imagine what I would be feeling like in opt school. I never liked school but I always gave it my 100% and got good grades because I knew that someday, I wanted to be an Optometrist (since I was very young). One thing is for sure, if I do continue with this route, I will definitely take some time off before Opt school. Is there anyone out there that feels/felt the same and can provide me some insight? It would be very much appreciated!.

 

[Wilkesu12]

I am also a third year undergrad, and I do not enjoy many of my courses besides a few of my bio courses. But, I really don't think that will translate to how you like the optometry school ciriculum. I am pretty sure that after the first year the curriculum really starts to become optometry related and that should be more interesting. If you have been around the profession and you know that's what you want to do then don't let pre reqs, even though they are important, deter you because it will be worth it in the end if you are doing something you love in the. Hope that helps!

 

[KHE]

.Is how you tolerate/enjoy the pre-requisites an indicator of how you will enjoy optometry school? Surely you should enjoy the education that is for the profession that you chose, assuming you chose the right profession, right? I know those classes are the preqs for a reason – they want to know you can handle the workload. However, I ask because I am really not that crazy about any of the prereq classes (for example, I absolutely hated ochem, but then again, I think there were few that didn’t). I guess the answers to my question might be, “it depends on the class.” I am just feeling very burnt out right now (I’m currently a 3rd year undergrad), and I am beginning to chicken out. I’ve heard horror stories about how miserable med school can be. Yes, I do know optometry school is not med school but I also know that optometry school is also very difficult and those stories terrify me. If I am feeling this way now, I can only imagine what I would be feeling like in opt school. I never liked school but I always gave it my 100% and got good grades because I knew that someday, I wanted to be an Optometrist (since I was very young). One thing is for sure, if I do continue with this route, I will definitely take some time off before Opt school. Is there anyone out there that feels/felt the same and can provide me some insight? It would be very much appreciated!.

🙄

No one likes organic chemsitry and no, it's not particularly relevant to optometry or medical school. Neither is calculus.

Here's what's important.....

You have to like science, scientific thinking and the scientific method.

People go into health careers because they pay is good and they want to "help people" but I am here to tell you it's not enough. In order to be a good clinician, a strong background in critical thinking and the scientific method is what you need.

 

[Bioflare]

.Is how you tolerate/enjoy the pre-requisites an indicator of how you will enjoy optometry school? Surely you should enjoy the education that is for the profession that you chose, assuming you chose the right profession, right? I know those classes are the preqs for a reason – they want to know you can handle the workload. However, I ask because I am really not that crazy about any of the prereq classes (for example, I absolutely hated ochem, but then again, I think there were few that didn’t). I guess the answers to my question might be, “it depends on the class.” I am just feeling very burnt out right now (I’m currently a 3rd year undergrad), and I am beginning to chicken out. I’ve heard horror stories about how miserable med school can be. Yes, I do know optometry school is not med school but I also know that optometry school is also very difficult and those stories terrify me. If I am feeling this way now, I can only imagine what I would be feeling like in opt school. I never liked school but I always gave it my 100% and got good grades because I knew that someday, I wanted to be an Optometrist (since I was very young). One thing is for sure, if I do continue with this route, I will definitely take some time off before Opt school. Is there anyone out there that feels/felt the same and can provide me some insight? It would be very much appreciated!.

Paragraphs! jk

Well there is no requirement for you to like prerequisite courses. The only course I like was biology since it was the only class they posted lecture recordings for... so I didn't have to go down for class (lol wrong reason?). The prerequisites aren't really that relevant, because when you go into graduate school, they teach you everything all over again.

One thing I have to ask you is... have you shadowed an Optometrists or anyone before? If you have what did you think of the experience, and why are you thinking of taking time off before Optometry school? You should have reasons for everything you do (even if they aren't good reasons).

Now once you answer those, I can say that taking time off can be good, depending on your definition of it. If you mean going out into the workforce to see how things are in the "real world", then its a great thing. If you mean just not going to school and working a part time job, then no that's pretty much a waste of time (unless you have financial reasons for it). If you do decide to take time off, and get a full time job, take the time to research fields that you are interested in. If you take a break, and don't work at least shadow and volunteer in the fields that interest you and ask questions! This is so that you can find out where you want to go after your break. You may find that Optometry is not for you, but you may also find that it is definitely for you.

GL HF

 

[Hoffy]

I went in as French major and turned it to Biology, and it wasn't until my second to last semester that I even knew I wanted to do something in the health profession. I hated chemistry, ochem, even cell bio. It wasn't until I took A &P and Biochem that I really got into things. I agree- you really do have to enjoy the scientific method and approach to things- I think that's what kept me trucking through all of the horrid ochem classes 🙂 Find out what drives you and motivates you to do well, though I loved French I could never muster up enough drive to want to succeed in those classes. Try shadowing different health professions to see what you like - you may fall into something unexpected like I did 🙂

 

[tmorowat]

🙄

No one likes organic chemsitry and no, it's not particularly relevant to optometry or medical school. Neither is calculus.

Here's what's important.....

You have to like science, scientific thinking and the scientific method.

People go into health careers because they pay is good and they want to "help people" but I am here to tell you it's not enough. In order to be a good clinician, a strong background in critical thinking and the scientific method is what you need.

I like organic chemistry! Just saying🙂

But yes, I agree. You should at least have a mild curiosity for the body/eye, in my opinion.